Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement
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Purpose:
This lesson will teach the basic Biblical laws of Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim (the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) the rationale that supports these laws, and practical applications of these laws in today’s world. The learner will participate in a class project aimed to assist community programs that aid abandoned and stray animals.
Duration:
Four - Fifty Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
- demonstrate an awareness and understanding of G-d’s laws and desires for humans to respect His animal creations.
- demonstrate an awareness and understanding that these laws apply to many areas, including Shehitah, farming and owning animals for pleasure.
- provide a needed service in a local animal organization.
- demonstrate an awareness and understanding that respecting and providing for animals in not only admirable but essential.
- demonstrate an awareness and reflect on the understanding that providing for animals is not only a fulfillment of G-d’s commandments but also rewarding.
Service Experience:
The learners will contact the local American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), animal shelters, or animal related organizations and volunteer time and effort to help animals.
Materials:
- Package of lined paper
- Pens
- Multiple copies of a local directory listing animal shelters, the local ASPCA, and other animal related organizations.
Teacher Note: These could be obtained from the local phone book or Chamber of Commerce - 3-4 disposable cameras
- One large poster board
- Glue / glue sticks
- Colored markers or pencils
- One copy for each learner of Attachment One: Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim Biblical Laws
- One copy for each learner of Attachment Two: Copies of Story of Rebecca
- One copy for each learner of Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life / Bettering Our Life
- Teacher's Guide of Attachment Four: Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim Biblical Laws
Instructional Procedure(s):
Day One:
Anticipatory Set:
Give each learner a copy of Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life / Bettering Our Life . Ask them to think of ways in which they have or might be able to help better animals’ lives, in general or specific and to fill out the top half of the handout using markers or colored pencils. Share with them that by the end of this lesson, they will be able to fill out the bottom half of the handout because they will have had additional opportunities and experiences that will help them to realize and better understand how helping animals can help them as well.
- Distribute copies of Attachment One: Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim Biblical Laws and have the learners take turns reading one of the laws aloud.
- As each law is read aloud, ask the learners to share their understanding of the rationale behind the law, responding to the question: Why did G-d institute this specific law regarding animals?
Teacher Note: If the learners need help in understanding the law, offer suggestions from Attachment Four: Teacher’s Guide: Tza’ar Ba’alei Chaim Biblical Laws.- Once each law has been read and discussed, have the learners return to Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life/Bettering Our Life completed during the Anticipatory Set and write down any additional ways in which they can help animals in their everyday life using their colored pencils or markers.
- Take a few minutes to allow volunteers to share some of the ways they have thought of to help animals in their everyday life. Collect the learners’ Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life/Bettering Our Life, at the conclusion of the class.
Day Two:
- Distribute a copy of Attachment Two: Story of Rebecca to each learner and allow them time to read the story.
- Once completed ask the learners to think of reasons why Eliezer, Abraham’s servant, looked for a woman who would give him and his camels water to drink.
- Have the learners reflect on the idea that how a person treats animals says something about that person.
Teacher Note: Ultimately, you will want to lead the class to consider and conclude that a person who respects any of G-d’s creations is likely to respect all of G-d’s creations; and that while we may use animals for our benefit, whether for eating, for working, or for pleasure, we are not allowed to abuse them. This idea can be related to humans as well, specifically when referring to employees.- Arrange the learners in groups of five or six and distribute copies of a local directory of animal shelters, the local chapter of the ASPCA and other animal related organizations to each group.
- Have each group select one local animal organization to contact, avoiding duplication. Once they have identified their selected organization, they are to contact that organization and identify how the class might be able to help that organization for one day (or more) and be prepared to share that information during the next class period.
Day Three:
- Have each group share the extent of their conversation with their identified organization and by consensus have the class select the one organization they will help.
Teacher Note: It is likely that some groups will report that the contacted organization has nothing for the class to do. In the unlikelihood that all of the contacted organizations respond this way see Extensions.- Once the class has identified their chosen organization to help, distribute lined paper to each learner and have each learner write down what it is that they hope to accomplish for the animals as well as personal self-fulfillment goals- what they hope to get out of the experience. Collect these sheets at the end of this class period.
- Assign someone from each group, whose selected organization responded positively to having the class come and perform some work, to re-contact their identified organization.
Teacher Note: As a matter of courtesy it would be appropriate to share with each of the organizations that responded positively to the inquiry, as to whether or not their organization was selected as the one to be helped by the class. As the teacher, it would be appropriate for you to also contact the chosen organization to determine a specific time and date for the work and needed instructions for safety and equipment.
Day Four:
- Prior to performing the agreed upon service for the chosen animal organization, encourage as many learners as possible to bring disposable cameras to take pictures of the outing.
- As a class, perform the service as pre-determined and planned.
Day Five:
- Following the day of the performed service, distribute the half-completed Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life/Bettering Our Life and the lined paper from Day Three to each learner.
- Tell the learners to fill out the bottom half of Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life/Bettering Our Life with colored pencils or markers.
- Have the learners discuss and reflect on their service experiences and how it might have benefited both the animals and themselves.
- Complete these five days by constructing a class display that commemorates their experiences.
Teacher Note: Glue the learner copies of Attachment Three: Bettering an Animal’s Life/Bettering Our Life to poster board as a background. Then adhere the pictures taken during the service project to the poster board to create a presentable collage art project.- Involve the learners in deciding to either give the art project to the organization they helped as a thank you gift along with a thank you note or display it somewhere in the school.
Assessment:
The learners will be assessed based on their participation in class discussions, their willingness to participate in the service outing, their performance during the service outing, and the depth of their reflection in demonstrating their understanding of the connection of honoring
G-d’s animals and self-fulfillment.
School/Home Connection:
- The learners can be encouraged to discuss with their families the content of this lesson and how that might naturally lead to a service outing.
- If the family owns an animal(s), the learner’s could be encouraged to share with their family what things could be done that would benefit the animal,and subsequently themselves, spiritually. (i.e. always walking the dog on time instead of waiting for a commercial break on television, spending a few extra minutes petting the cat, buying the healthiest pet food their family can afford, because it is healthier for the pet and they enjoy it more, etc.)
- If the leaner’s family does not own a pet, he/she could be encouraged to consider ways that his/her family could help animals in general. (i.e. volunteering at an animal shelter, donating money to an animal organization, buying animal friendly products, etc.)
Cross-Curriculum Extensions:
If a local animal organization is not able to accommodate an on-site class service project, consider organizing a fund-raiser, providing needed items, or in some way advocating for a class-selected animal organization(s).
Bibliographical References:
Navigating The Bible II Web Site:
http://bible.ort.org/books/pentd2.asp?ACTION=displaypage&BOOK=1&CHAPTER=24
Lesson Developed By:
Eytan J ApterAreyvut
http://www.areyvut.org
Bergenfield, NJ 07621
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Tza'ar Ba'alei Chaim Biblical Laws
Deuteronomy
5:12
Observe the Sabbath to keep it holy, as God your Lord commanded you.
5:13
You can work during the six weekdays, and do all your tasks,
5:14
but Saturday is the Sabbath to God your Lord, so do not do anything that constitutes work. [This includes] you, your son, your daughter, your male and female slave, your ox, your donkey, your [other] animals, and the foreigner who is in your gates. Your male and female slaves will then be able to rest just as you do.
Genesis
9:4
But nevertheless, you may not eat flesh of a creature that is still alive.
Deuteronomy
25:4
Do not muzzle an ox when it is treading grain.
Deuteronomy
22:10
Do not plow with an ox and donkey together.
Deuteronomy
22:6
If you come across a bird’s nest on any tree or on the ground, and it contains baby birds or eggs, then, if the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with her young.
Deuteronomy
12:21
Since the place chosen by God your Lord to be dedicated to His name is far, you need only slaughter your cattle and small animals that God will have given you in the manner that I have prescribed. You may then eat them in your settlements in any manner you desire.
Handout 2Print Handout 2
The Story of Rebecca
The Story of Rebecca
A Wife for Isaac: Genesis 24
24:1 Abraham was old, well advanced in years, and God had blessed Abraham
with everything.
24:2 He said to the senior servant of his household, who was in charge of all that he owned, 'Place your hand under my thigh.
24:3 I will bind you by an oath to God, Lord of heaven and earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I live.
24:4 Instead, you must go to my native land, to my birthplace, and obtain a wife for my son Isaac.'
24:5 'But what if the girl does not want to come back with me to this land?' asked the servant. 'Shall I bring your son back to the land that you left?'
24:6 'Be most careful in this respect,' replied Abraham. 'Do not bring my son back there!
24:7 God, the Lord of heaven, took me away from my father's house and the land of my birth. He spoke to me and made an oath. 'To your offspring I will give this land.' He will send His angel before you, and you will indeed find a wife there for my son.
24:8 If the girl does not want to come back with you, then you shall be absolved of my oath. But [no matter what,] do not bring my son back there!'
24:9 The servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and he took an oath regarding this.
24:10 The servant then took ten of his master's camels, bringing along the best things his master owned. He set off and went to Aram Naharayim, to the city of Nachor.
24:11 [When he arrived,] he let the camels rest on their knees outside the city, beside the well. It was in the evening when women go out to draw water.
24:12 He prayed, 'O God, Lord of my master Abraham: Be with me today, and grant a favor to my master Abraham.
24:13 I am standing here by the well and the daughters of the townsmen are coming out to draw water.
24:14 If I say to a girl, 'Tip over your jug and let me have a drink,' and she replies, 'Drink, and I will also water your camels,' she will be the one whom You have designated for Your servant Isaac. [If there is such a girl,] I will know that You have granted a favor for my master.'
24:15 He had not yet finished speaking, when Rebecca appeared. She had been born to Bethuel, the son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham's brother Nachor. Her jug was on her shoulder.
24:16 The girl was extremely good-looking, [and] she was a virgin untouched by any man. The girl went down, filled her jug, and then came up again.
24:17 The servant ran toward her. 'If you would, let me sip a little water from your jug,' he said.
24:18 'Drink, Sir,' she replied. She quickly lowered her jug to her hand and gave him a drink.
24:19 When he had finished drinking, she said, 'Let me draw water for your camels, so they can [also] drink their fill.'
24:20 She quickly emptied her jug into the trough and ran to the well again to draw water. She drew water for all his camels.
24:21 The man stood there gaping at her. But he remained silent, waiting to determine for certain whether or not God had made his journey successful.
24:22 When the camels had finished drinking, he took a gold ring weighing half a shekel, and two gold bracelets, weighing ten gold shekels, for her arms.
24:23 'Whose daughter are you?' he asked. 'If you would, tell me if there is a place in your father's house for us to spend the night.'
24:24 She replied, 'I am the daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nachor.'
24:25 She then said, 'We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as a place for people to spend the night.'
24:26 The man bowed low and prostrated himself to God.
24:27 He said, 'Blessed be God, Lord of my master Abraham, who has not withdrawn the kindness and truth that He grants to my master. Here I am, still on the road, and God has led me to the house of my master's close relatives!'
Handout 3Print Handout 3
Bettering an Animal's Life/Bettering Our Life
Ways of Bettering an Animal’s Life
Additional Ways of Bettering an Animal’s Life
Handout 4Print Handout 4
Teacher's Guide: Tza'ar Ba'alei Chaim Biblical Laws
Deuteronomy
5:12
Observe the Sabbath to keep it holy, as God your Lord commanded you.
5:13
You can work during the six weekdays, and do all your tasks,
5:14
but Saturday is the Sabbath to God your Lord, so do not do anything that constitutes work. [This includes] you, your son, your daughter, your male and female slave, your ox, your donkey, your [other] animals, and the foreigner who is in your gates. Your male and female slaves will then be able to rest just as you do.
Genesis
9:4
But nevertheless, you may not eat flesh of a creature that is still alive.
You may not rip a limb off of an animal and eat it. God allowed for eating animals but even before the laws of slaughtering an animal for Kashrut, God implemented humane laws to prohibit cruelty to animals, even animals that we eat.
Deuteronomy
25:4
Do not muzzle an ox when it is treading grain.
According to the Bible, you must not muzzle an ox even when it is working the land for you. The ox must be allowed to eat from the fields as it is working. The law prohibits abuse of animals, even when we use animals for work.
Deuteronomy
22:10
Do not plow with an ox and donkey together.
The law is instituted because an ox is stronger and bigger than a donkey. When working together, both animals will suffer pain, the donkey may be dragged along against its will and the ox will be slowed down.
Deuteronomy
22:6
If you come across a bird’s nest on any tree or on the ground, and it contains baby birds or eggs, then, if the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with her young.
Even birds have emotional feelings. We may eat the eggs or even take the eggs, but you must not do it when the mother is there.
Deuteronomy
12:21
Since the place chosen by God your Lord to be dedicated to His name is far, you need only slaughter your cattle and small animals that God will have given you in the manner that I have prescribed. You may then eat them in your settlements in any manner you desire.
The laws of Shehitah/ slaughtering animals for food, is done in the most humane way, to prevent any pain to the animal.
Unit Contents:
Overview:Respecting the Environment (Stewardship) (Private-Religious) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Private-Religious)
- 2.
- Shemittah - The Sabbatical Year (Private-Religious)
- 3.
- Trees and Our Future (Private-Religious)
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